Audio Pacing Device

ABSTRACT

There is provided an audio pacing device including a sensing unit, such as heart rate monitoring unit, to obtain a parameter, such as heart-beat rate (pulse), of a user in physical exercise, a memory to store a plurality of audio signals having predetermined tempo indications (e.g. beats per minute values); and a processing unit configured to (1) determine whether the intensity of the parameter of the user should be increased, decreased or maintained by using the parameter of the user from the heart rate monitor and a predetermined reference value, and (2) dynamically select and render an audio signal having (or adjusted to have) an audio-tempo that enables the user to accordingly increase, decrease or maintain exercise intensity, respectively.

The present invention relates to a device and methods using an audio(music) signal, a parameter of an individual (e.g. pulse rate(heartbeat)), and musical listening devices for audio pacing. Moreparticularly, the present invention relates to a device and methodcapable of measuring parameter of an individual in physical exercise andselecting an audio signal corresponding to an appropriate beats perminute (BPM) to achieve a particular exercise level or intensity.

Numerous physical exercise programs and, in particular, running orjogging performed by individuals are significantly more effective in aparticular range of heart beat rates. The required heart beat rates varyfor the individuals with different ages and health factors. Moreover,individual heart beat rates that drop to a specific low level, result inphysical exercises that can have only a slight influence on them.Further, individual heart beat rates that go beyond an upper limitlevel, result in exercises that can have a harmful influence on them.Accordingly, people who start physical exercise programs should exercisein amounts suitable for them according to their physical status.

Heart beat (or pulse rate) analysis devices are used as an exerciseamount measurement. They measure the heart beat rate (pulse rate) of anindividual in exercise in heart beats per minute, and compare themeasured number with a standard table, so that one measures the physicalexercise as weak, medium, or strong for oneself. Further, sportsliterature is available with specific tables for goals such asfat-burning/weight loss, energizing exercise, cardiovascular training orspeed training. Depending on one's weight, height, body fat percentage,age, gender (etc.) one can find the ideal pulse pace for the goal athand.

Particularly athletes, who want to track their improvements, and thusstay motivated to follow through, find heartbeat monitoring toolsmotivating and stimulating.

Conventional heart beat analysis devices, such as the Polar™sportswatch, are known to give audible feedback (e.g. a beep) when thepulse of a user/athlete exceeds a target pulse threshold (upper orlower). It thereby signals the user to adjust the exercise strengthaccordingly to return to the appropriate training zone or level.

However, such conventional heartbeat analysis devices suffer from anumber of limitations. For example, many users find the beeping annoyingand as a result are known to turn the beeping off altogether. Further,other athletes use portable music playback devices, such as MP3 players,during exercise routines and cannot hear the beeping.

Further, listening to music while performing physical exercise is verypopular. However, a problem of listening to music while exercising isthat the music often has a tempo which is out of synchronization withthe pace of the person exercising. Modem day pop music is generallysupported by a clear drumbeat that can be followed in the pace of aphysical exercise. Soldiers march to the beat of a song and in the sameway Roman slaves rowed their boats to a drumbeat. Athletes enjoy movingalong the beat of music playing, since this helps them in keeping aconstant pace. Music is a powerful tool to increase the performance ofathletes if they are sensitive to it.

Accordingly, there is a need for an apparatus that enables effectiveheartbeat analysis and pacing in a non-intrusive and motivating fashion,using a music playback device.

The present invention is directed to a system and method for an audiopacing device which monitors a parameter of user in exercise, such asheart rate, and provides an audio signal that is correlated to anindividual's exercise program or routine to achieve a target performancelevel. The target performance level may imply increasing, decreasing ormaintaining a particular exercise level or intensity.

The audio signals are categorized, for example based on their beat perminute (BPM) value. The audio signal categorization can be conductedeither by the audio pacing device or by an external device, such as aPC, and then transferred to the audio pacing device. An audio signal isselected having a beat per minute (BPM) corresponding to the targetperformance level of the parameter of the user (e.g. heart rate). Theaudio signal comprises an MP3, WAV, AAC or WMA file, and the like,generally containing music.

In accordance with the principles of the present invention an audiopacing device is provided including a sensing unit, for example a heartrate monitoring unit, to obtain a parameter, for example pulse, of auser in physical exercise, a memory to store a plurality of audiosignals having predetermined musical tempo, for example, beat per minutevalues; and a processing unit configured to (1) determine whether theintensity of the parameter of the user should be increased, decreased ormaintained by sampling the parameter of the user from the sensing unitand comparing it to a predetermined reference value, and (2) select anaudio file having a higher, lower or equal tempo that will make the userspeed up, slow down, or maintain the current exercise level orintensity, which will result in an increase, decrease or maintaining ofthe parameter of the user respectively.

The audio pacing device may further comprise a method of dynamicallyadjusting the tempo of a selected audio signal by a predetermined amountto enable a parameter of the user to achieve a target value or rate. Ifthe maximal adjustment amount turns out to be insufficient for the userto achieve the target rate, a new audio signal is selected with anappropriate tempo.

The present invention is more fully understood by reference to thefollowing detailed description of a preferred embodiment in combinationwith the drawings identified below.

FIG. 1 is a view for showing an audio pacing device according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram for showing an internal structure of theprocessing unit FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a flow chart for showing a process of the audio pacing deviceof FIG. 1.

In the following description, for purposes of explanation rather thanlimitation, specific details are set forth such as the particulararchitecture, interfaces, techniques, etc., in order to provide athorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will beapparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may bepracticed in other embodiments that depart from these specific details.As used herein the terms “pulse” means a heart-beat rate, “tempo” of anaudio signal is, for example in BPM, and “pace” refers to an exercisetempo.

This application is filed concurrently with co-pending U.S. patentapplication “Audio Interval Training Device ”, Ser. No. XX/XXXXXX, filed______ , 2004, for F. H. G. Ogg and D. P. L. Simons, and is incorporatedby reference herein.

Referring to the drawings and, in particular, FIG. 1, there is shown anaudio pacing device in accordance with the present invention generallyrepresented by reference numeral 100.

As shown in FIG. 1, the present invention includes a processing unit102, a sensing unit 104 (hereinafter for exemplary purposes referred toas a “heart rate monitor 104”) and input/output port 106. The processingunit 102 performs the functions of: (1) receiving and storing parameterinformation (hereinafter for exemplary purposes referred to as “heartrate”) of a user in physical exercise, (2) storing BPM-rated audiosignals and (3) and selecting an audio signal with a particular BPMaccording to user's exercise program. The parameter information of auser in physical exercise may include any measure related to a userphysical status or condition, for example, heart rate or a step-ratemeasurement, speed measurement (in m/s), for example using theelectronic speed sensor on sports bicycles, rowing trainers or any otherkind of digital fitness equipment, the sit-up speed from a sit-uptrainer equipped with a sensor to count the number of sit-ups perminute, similarly a sensor on a strap-on belt on anankle/wrist/head/waist etc. (for aerobics ground exercises), providing arating, as well as other measures such as travel speed in general (inm/s), obtained from car-electronics or a GPS device, enabling one totravel at some target cruise-speed by following the music of in-caraudio and tap-rates obtained from a tap sensor, for example a drum/tap.The processing unit 102 may also digitize received broadcast signals andencode them according to a particular coding scheme (e.g. MP3, WAV, AAC,MPEG-4 and the like) and BPM-rate received audio signals. Alternatively,as well be apparent to those skilled in the art, the processing unit 102may also include an integrated heart rate monitor.

The processing unit measures a user's exercise effects by receiving andanalyzing heart rate information of a user in physical exercise. Forexample, data analysis is performed for a change rate of the number ofheart beats by time, a suitable exercise course based on a change of thenumber of heart beats, a proposal of the objective heart beats (a properexercise amount) based on age, gender, height, and weight, an indicationof an exercise improvement degree based on the change of the heart beatrate, a total amount of calories (being) consumed during exercise, whatpercent of the total consumed calories amount comes from the body fat,and so on.

The processing unit 102 may be manufactured in any conventional designor manner including: (1) to be worn on the wrist like a wrist watch inone body with the heart rate monitor 104, (2) to be attached on thefront of the user's sporting coat, (3) to be hung around the neck of auser by a string like a stop watch, and (4) to be integrated in awearable fabric or clothing-type device. In particular, the use ofintegrated electronic and conductive fibers in various sewn or wovenfabrics used as conductive traces, bio-sensors, electrodes, and otherwearable electronic devices are well known. For example, in the case ofa Wearable Heart Rate Monitor (WHRM) device for general sportapplications, the electrodes can be fully made of fabric and can befully integrated into a garment such as a running top. The electronicsthough that collect the data from the electrodes and transmit themwirelessly to a watch or similar device are contained in a separatesmall unit which can be attached onto the garment in such a way that itcan make good electrical contact with the electrodes.

The heart rate monitor 104 is connected to the processing unit 102 in awire, wireless or wearable fabric way, and performs a function ofcontinuously measuring the heart beat rate of a user in physicalexercise and transferring the measured values to the processing unit102. The heart rate monitor can be any conventional unit, for examplethe Polar™ Sportswatch, by Polar Electronics. Such heart rate monitor104 is carried on a wrist like a wrist watch.

The input/output port 106 is connected to the processing unit 102 andheart rate monitor for exchanging data, and includes the functions oftransferring digitalized music files to the processor 102 and outputtingaudio signals, selected based on their tempo (e.g. their BPM rating).

FIG. 2 is a component diagram of the processing unit 102 of FIG. 1according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 2, the processing unit according to the presentinvention has a control unit 202, an output unit 204, a storage unit206, a heart rate signal receiving unit 208, and an input unit 210. Thecontrol unit 202 includes a conventional microcomputer and a digitalsignal processor (DSP) (not shown). The output unit 204 includes anaudio output unit and may include an indication unit (not shown). Theparameter receiving unit 208 (hereinafter for exemplary purposesreferred to as a “heart rate signal receiving unit 208”) receives heartrate information from the heart rate monitor 104 and transfers it to thecontrol unit 202. As indicated above, a conventional heart rate monitorcan also be integrated into the processing unit.

Storage unit 206 contains a group of BPM categorized audio signals, forexample MP3s. In addition, storage unit 206 may contain programmedexercise routines or target exercise levels, as further described below,which are received using input unit 210.

The BPM categorizing can be performed by the processing unit or off-lineand downloaded to the audio pacing device. The BPM categorized audiosignals can be input into the storage unit 206 using any conventionalmanner (e.g. downloaded from a PC, wirelessly transmitted, etc.) Aconventional tool that does automatic (off-line) BPM analysis upon audiofiles to measure the musical tempo, (as well as dynamic (on-line) tempoadjustments, discussed below) is the PCDJ-Red product from Visiosonic,(see e.g. http ://www.pcdj.com/products/Red.asp andhttp://www.curiousdjs.com/pcdj.html). This tool will determine theaverage BPM of a song to an accuracy of 0.01 BPM (such as 86.56 beatsper minute). Once an audio signal is tempo-analyzed, the BPM value it isstored with the audio signal, for example in the header of the audiosignal. In particular, in the case of MP3 files, the BPM value is storedin the MP3 file, as an ID3v2 BPM tag, which can be read by otherapplications subsequently. Thus, for example, MP3s can be downloaded tothe audio pacing device that are searched (e.g. on the Internet) fortheir ID3v2 BPM tag values. If no value for their BPM is available, itis generated by using BPM analysis algorithms in the audio pacingdevice.

The control unit 202 stores the sampled heart rate (pulse) into astorage unit 206, analyzes the rate received, compares it with apredetermined comparison value (pulse Target) (e.g. target level orprogrammed exercise program), and selects an audio signal having a tempo(e.g. denoted in a BPM value) corresponding to an appropriate level toincrease, decrease or maintain a user's heart rate, and output theselected audio signal using output unit 204. The comparison value may bea predetermined or variable, it may also be re-adjusted at run-time.(i.e. the user may want to slow down, and he decreases his target heartrate accordingly.

The appropriate level to increase or decrease user's heart rate ispredetermined by the user or by any other conventional manner. Forexample, an objective number of heart beats as a reference value rangewhich can evaluate what extent of heart beats corresponds to ahigh-strength exercise, a medium-strength exercise, or a low-strengthexercise. In the same way it may set a range for cardiovascular, aerobicor an-aerobic exercise. Moreover, established values for heart ratesduring physical exercise can be used that factor the age, gender,height, weight, etc., of a user. In addition, the processing unit canstore (in storage unit 206) programmed training routines, using theabove factors, for a user wherein heart rate levels are established. Theprogrammed training routines can be input into the processing unit inany conventional manner. For example, a heartbeat sensor, such as thePolar™ sportswatch, can be manually programmed with a training zone (twoheart beat values).

Accordingly, the control unit 202 receives heart rate of a user (anindividual in physical exercise) from the heart rate monitor unit 208,compares the received heart rate with the predetermined objective heartrate, and determines an appropriate BPM audio signal to output to helpachieve the desired user heart rate. When a particular audio signal, orsong/music ends, while the user is in an exercise program, another audiosignal with a similar BPM is selected from the store group of audiosignals.

The processing device is also enabled to receive input from a user,using the input unit 210, for example a button, during exercise todenote particular audio signals or songs that support the exercise ortraining. Also, the user can use the input unit 210 to denote favoriteaudio signals. This in turn will enhance the probability that theparticular audio signal will be selected during a later exercisesession. For example, once an audio signal is denoted favorite, if anaudio signal is needed in the future within a predetermined range (forexample +/−10%) of the denoted audio signal's BPM, it will be selected.

In a similar manner, the user can store an indication of the type ofexercise, for example, the type of sport (e.g. running, rowing, cyclingetc.) along with the denoted audio signal. Thus, the processing devicerecords the most appropriate audio signal for each type of sport orexercise for a user (as presets). This, for example, shortens the timeto select a matching BPM audio signal, during a start of an exercise,wherein a user expects the device to play music/song (audio signal) thatbest fits his exercise. After choosing an initial song, all similar BPMsongs in storage are ready for use.

The control unit 202 also performs dynamic (on-line) tempo adjustmentsof a selected audio signal to pace a user to maintain a desired heartrate. For example, during physical exercise, when a user's heart rate is(slightly) out of the desired range, the control unit 202 adjusts theaudio signal's tempo to help direct to the user to the appropriate heartrate,. Preferably, the audio signal's tempo is not adjusted to more thanabout a predetermined amount from a base line (e.g. 10%). For example,the base line is the natural tempo of the music itself. The tempoadjustments based on the heart rate continue constantly during anexercise program. If, with tempo adjusted maximally, the user's heartrate is still outside the desired range, another audio signal with anappropriate BPM rate is selected and rendered to the user.

Pacing by step-speed can also be used to select audio signals, e.g. thedynamic tempo adjustments of a selected audio signal, which times thestep-tempo of the user/athlete. Conventional step-speed measurementdevices are known and can be further integrated into the processingdevice 102. The processing unit 102 selects an audio signal and thenadjusts its tempo to match the exact running tempo of the user or selectanother audio signal that has a tempo that matches the step-speed.Moreover, the audio pacing device may be configured to switch modes,such that when the device has found the music (audio signal) that isappropriate for the exercise (e.g. running), the device starts to pacethe user to maintain the current level of exercise intensity from thatmoment on. The switching modes include pacing by step-speed target or byheart-rate target.

The heart rate receiving unit 208 receives heart rate data from theheart rate monitor 104 in a wire or wireless way. In case of wire, datais received through a certain cable, and, in case of wireless,receptions are carried out by using a wireless signal such as an RFsignal and the like.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating the operation steps of heart rateaudio pacing.

As shown in FIG. 3, the process begins (start 300) with a user (orautomatically) selecting an exercise level(s) or program in step 302, bya user using the input/output port 106. The user sets a pulse target. Instep 304, the processing unit 102 receives heart rate information fromthe heart rate monitor and stores it in storage unit 206. The controlunit 202 analyzes the received heart rate information and compares it tothe selected exercise levels in step 306, and the processing unit 102selects a medium tempo (e.g. an MP3 file having a BPM value around theaverage of all BPM values on storage) audio signal, or a favorite audiosignal. In particular, the control unit determines the heartbeat rate(pulse) of the user and at what stage or level the user is in theselected exercise program and determines whether the user needs toincrease, decrease or maintain the current pace (exercise intensity). Instep 308, the control unit 202 selects an audio signal from storage unit206 in accordance with the determination of step 306 and provides it tothe user.

The user is expected to move to the beat of the music. The heart ratemonitor continuously samples the heart rate of the user. If after asmall period of time has elapsed (determined by the type of exercise ora predetermined time) the user's heart rate is not within a small rangeof the target pulse, the device will pace the user towards the desiredpulse, by either adjusting the tempo of the audio signal being rendered,or by selecting a different audio signal.

For example, if the user's exercise intensity is insufficient for hisheart rate to attain the target, the tempo of the audio signal will beincreased. As described above, this can be accomplished in two ways.First, by increasing the playing tempo of the current audio signal. Thisis preferable over the second way: selecting a different audio signal,since it does not interrupt the flow of music. However increasing thetempo with more than about 10% from the natural tempo will not gounnoticed by the user (which may be annoying to the user). Therefore,the device will first try to pace the user by speeding up the tempo ofthe current audio signal. If the tempo is 110% and the user's heart ratestill is below target, the device will select another audio signal. Inthis case the newly selected audio signal will have a higher BPM valuethan that of the current audio signal. (The device will thus play moreup-tempo music.)

In the same way, the device will monitor the user's heart rate risingabove the target heart rate and pace the user to slow down.

A user/athlete following the tempo of her music will eventually attainher target heart rate, and thus perform her exercise at the targetedintensity. At this time, the music tempo may oscillate around the idealtempo which will go unnoticed by the user/listener. This processcontinues until STOP or end 312.

In step 310, process determines whether the selected exercise programhas ended (end 312) or returns to the step 304.

The preceding and following merely illustrates the principles of theinvention. It will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the artwill be able to devise various arrangements which, although notexplicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of theinvention and are included within its spirit and scope. For example, aninexpensive version of the heart rate audio pacing apparatus maycomprise a device without a heart rate monitor (or feedback sensor). Thedevice would feature two buttons: Faster and Slower. When pressed theyadjust the pace (again first up to about 10% by speedup, then byselecting another audio signal). Additionally, it is intended that suchequivalents include both currently known equivalents as well asequivalents developed in the future, i.e., any elements developed thatperform the same function, regardless of structure.

The functions of the various elements shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, may beprovided through the use of dedicated hardware as well as hardwarecapable of executing software in association with appropriate software.When provided by a processor, the functions may be provided by a singlededicated processor, by a single shared processor, or by a plurality ofindividual processors, some of which may be shared. Moreover, explicituse of the term “processor”, “server” or “controller” should not beconstrued to refer exclusively to hardware capable of executingsoftware, and may implicitly include, without limitation, digital signalprocessor (DSP) hardware, read-only memory (ROM) for storing software,random access memory (RAM) and non-volatile storage. Other hardware,conventional and/or custom, may also be included.

In the claims hereof any element expressed as a means for performing aspecified function is intended to encompass any way of performing thatfunction including, for example, a) a combination of circuit elementswhich performs that function or b) software in any form, including,downloadable or retrofit software or the like, combined with appropriatecircuitry for executing that software to perform the function. Theinvention as defined by such claims resides in the fact that thefunctionalities provided by the various recited means are combined andbrought together in the manner which the claims call for. Applicant thusregards any means which can provide those functionalities as equivalentas those shown herein.

1. An audio pacing device, comprising: a sensing unit to obtain aparameter of a user in physical exercise; a memory to store a pluralityof audio signals having predetermined tempo values; and a processingunit configured to (1) determine whether intensity of the parameter ofthe user should be increased, decreased or maintained by using theparameter of the user from the sensing unit and a predeterminedreference value, and (2) select an audio signal having a tempo thatenables the user to increase, decrease or maintain the intensity.
 2. Theaudio pacing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the parameter is apulse rate.
 3. The audio pacing device as claimed in claim 1, whereinthe parameter is a step-speed rate.
 4. The audio pacing device asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the tempo is a beat per minute value.
 5. Theaudio pacing device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the sensing unit is aheart rate monitor.
 6. The audio pacing device as claimed in claim 3,wherein the sensing unit is a step-speed measurement unit.
 7. The audiopacing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensing unit and theprocessing unit are connected in a wired or wireless way.
 8. The audiopacing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the processing unit isfurther configured to adjust the tempo of a selected audio signal by apredetermined amount.
 9. The audio pacing device as claimed in claim 1,wherein the predetermined reference value includes reference valuesselected by a user or a programmed exercise routine.
 10. The audiopacing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the audio signals arecategorized based on their tempo value.
 11. The audio pacing device asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the predetermined tempo values of theplurality of audio signals are determined either by the audio pacingdevice, or by an external device and transferred to the audio ratepacing device.
 12. The audio pacing device as claimed in claim 1,wherein the audio signals are encoded in an MP3, WAV, MPEG-4, WMA, orAAC format.
 13. The audio pacing device as claimed in claim 1, furtherincluding a switch to enable use of the audio pacing device in a firstmode having a first sensing unit and a first parameter and a second modehaving second sensing unit and a second parameter.
 14. An audio pacingmethod, comprising the steps of: receiving a parameter of a user inphysical exercise from a sensing unit; determining whether intensity ofthe parameter of the user should be increased, decreased or maintainedby using the parameter of the user from the sensing unit and apredetermined reference value; selecting an audio signal having a tempothat enables the user to increase, decrease or maintain the intensity.15. The audio pacing method as claimed in claim 14, further comprisingthe step of adjusting the tempo of a selected audio signal
 16. The audiopacing method as claimed in claim 14, further comprising the step of auser selecting the said predetermined reference value from a group ofreference values or a programmed exercise routine.
 17. The heart rateaudio pacing method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the audio signalsare encoded in an MP3, WAV, MPEG-4, WMA, or AAC format.
 18. The audiopacing method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the parameter is a pulserate or a step speed rate.
 19. The audio pacing device as claimed inclaim 14, wherein the sensing unit is a heart rate monitor or astep-speed measurement unit.
 20. An audio pacing device, comprising: asensing unit to obtain a parameter that is representative of a status ofa user in motion; a memory to store a plurality of audio signals havingpredetermined tempo values; and a processing unit configured to (1)determine whether the parameter should be increased, decreased ormaintained by using the parameter from the sensing unit and apredetermined reference value, and (2) select an audio signal having atempo that enables the user to increase, decrease or maintain theparameter.